A REALM OF UNFORGETTABLE TRAVEL
PASSION PLAY SORDEVOLO
Since about 1490, the play was performed on Good Friday in the Colosseum, by the Roman Company of Gonfalon Confraternity, with a large attendance of spectators, pilgrims, travelers and notables. This tradition was interrupted in 1539 by Pope Paul III ‘s prohibition of such representations, due to the dramatic Reformation period and the subsequent Luther’s, Calvino’s and other religious independence movements from the Roman Catholic Church.
The “Roman” passion text reached Sordevolo through still mysterious ways. The first hypothesis is that the original text may be arrived in Piedmont thanks to the relationship existing between the Roman Gonfalon Confraternity and Sordevolo St Lucy Confraternity, its direct affiliate. A second hypothesis takes into consideration the commercial contacts between the family Ambrosetti, weavers and merchants of Sordevolo “fine cloth”, and its own buyers in Rome.Since about two centuries, the entire community of Sordevolo has been representing the Passion of Christ, in a complete organizing and artistic autonomy.
The next appointment with the public is foreseen for June-September 2020. Sordevolo, 650 metres
above sea level, is situated on the hills north of Biella protected by Mt Mombarone and Mt Mucrone, more than 2,000 metres high. The village may take its name either from super Elvum, the brook which flows close to it, or from surdibulum, a vulgar Latin word indicating a spring waters site, or else from the idiom Solo riverir Deo volo, written on the front façade of an ancient pilgrims hospice.
In this natural setting of hills, woods and mountains, for over two centuries from the beginning of ‘800, the representation of the Passion takes place every five years. Expression of the ancient popular theatre, the event actively involves the entire community of Sordevolo, about 1,300 inhabitants.
The ancient Popular Theatre Committee of Sordevolo Passion, founded in 1816, has been replaced in 1991 by Sordevolo Popular Theatre Association, an independent non-profit organization, aiming to preserve, to perpetuate and to hand down this tradition, which dates back to the origins of this small community, expression of an older-day subalpine culture.
Special focus has to be placed on the deeply free and independent spirit of this genuine local culture and on the great involvement of the modern heirs of this tradition, who face the various aspects of the staging merely through local human resources and techniques: overall organization, costumes and setting making, scenery plan, direction, drama school, stage setting.
Calendar of plays
Presents The Italian Shrines & Sordevolo
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Passion Play of Christ - Sordevolo
13 DAYS/11 NIGHTS
ROMA (3) – S. GIOVANNI ROTONDO (2)– ASSISI(2) – PADOVA (1)SORDEVOLO (3)
Day 1 (Monday)
Overnight flight from JFK to Rome
Day 2
Arrive Rome. Meet tour escort.
Transfer to hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Evening dinner at hotel
Day 3
Breakfast. Morning transfer to St. Peter’s Square for Papal Audience. Afternoon Imperial Rome tour including the Coliseum and Forum. Dinner at hotel
Day 4
Breakfast. Morning tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
Afternoon tour of Christian Rome including St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and to the Catacombs. Dinner at hotel
Day 5
Following breakfast, we will head south and travel through the Roman countryside with its villas and vineyards. During your drive, your tour escort will explain the spiritual, historical, and cultural overview of Italy, which will help to orient you to this beautiful country and prepare you for all that you will experience in the days to follow. We stop at Montecassino, a beautiful town founded by Saint Benedict. Continue through the countryside heading east to Padre Pio’s town, San Giovanni Rotondo, our base for the following two nights.
TOUR FEATURES
11 nights’ accommodations at indicated 3 and or 4 star hotels or similar with private bath or shower
Buffet breakfast daily
Dinner daily (beverages included)
Professional English speaking Tour Director throughout
Private deluxe motorcoach for all included services
Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees where applicable
Papal Audience tickets
Passion Play tickets preferred seating
Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels
Stay Tax included
Tips to restaurant personnel for all included meals
Hotel taxes and service charges
Padova
Day 6
Breakfast. We tour the sanctuary, with the old church and the crucifix from which Padre Pio received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where he spent so many hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey towards God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Return to San Giovanni for dinner and overnight.
Day 7
We will have breakfast at our hotel before we make our way to Lanciano, and visit the Church of St. Longinus where we will see the Eucharistic Miracle. After some free time, we will continue on toward the Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. Enjoy lunch (on own) before we make our way to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis, the saint Patron of animals and of the environment, and the founder of the Franciscan Order. Dinner at hotel.
Day 8
Breakfast. Following breakfast, we will begin a tour of Assisi. Visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Porziuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. You will have some free time to shop or eat lunch at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple. Our tour continues with the Church of St. Clare to see the saint's incorrupted body. The foundress of the Order of Poor, Clare followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before returning in the evening. Dinner at hotel
Day 9
Breakfast. Morning travel to Padua, to render respect to the great St. Anthony. Visit his basilica, built in 1232, where his tomb lies in the north transept. Afterwards, head to the Basilica of St. Justina, a 4th century martyr and another of Padua’s patron saints. It enshrines relics of St. Matthias the Apostle and St. Luke the Evangelist. Finally visit the splendid Cappella degli Scrovegni, with beautiful frescoes painted by Giotto. Dinner and overnight in Padua.
Day 10
Breakfast. Morning departure for Oropa. Stop in Milan for orientation tour. Continue to Oropa. The Sanctuary here is the most important and largest Sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to be found in the Alps. It is located in a unique, natural and unspoiled setting at 1200 mt. Dinner and overnight
Day 11
Breakfast. This morning depart for Turin. Explore the city’s major monuments and Piazza Castello with its beautiful buildings. A highlight of the day will be to view the Holy Shroud at the Cathedral and a visit to the museum of the Holy Shroud. Time at leisure to shop and explore on your own. In the afternoon, return to the Sanctuary and enjoy dinner.
Day 12
Breakfast. Morning tour of the Sanctuary The sanctuary walls are lined with stories, photos and paintings depicting accounts of people reportedly receiving help from the Virgin Mary. The most frequent are incidents from World War II. Two churches keep the sanctuary active: a basilica that holds daily Mass and La Chiesa Nuova, a huge cathedral. The basilica is home to a famous statue in the region, “The Black Madonna,” so named for the color of wood used to carve it. La Chiesa has an immense interior and, like most European cathedrals, large paintings and ornate iconography. Some time at leisure. Enjoy an early dinner before departing for Sordevelo, the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village people. We will attend this remarkable performance of “The Passion of Christ” . Return to Oropa for overnight
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for return flight home.
For information and reservations please contact
888 913 2802 ask for Gianni
PassionPlay,Sordevolo
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Passion Play of Christ - Sordevolo
TOUR FEATURES
•6 nights 3 star hotel accommodations: 2 nights Rome, 1 night Assisi, and 3 nights Oropa Sanctuary
•Buffet breakfast daily
•5 dinners
•Private English Speaking Tour Director throughout
•Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees
•Touring and transfers by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
•Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels
•Passion Play ticket
•Hotel taxes and service charges
Rome
Assisi
Assisi
Turin
Milan Oropa Sordevolo
CORSICA
Day1DepartUSA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.
Day 2
Rome Arrive in Rome, meet your English speaking tour escort who will stay with the group until the end of the trip, and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a visit of the Christian Catacombs. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 3 Rome After breakfast we depart for this morning’s panoramic tour of Rome, as you pass by many of the city’s most important sights including the Coliseum. This afternoon you are at leisure to enjoy this Eternal City. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Day 4
Rome/Assisi This morning we will return to Vatican City to participate in the Pope’s weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square. Afterwards, we depart Rome and travel north to Assisi, the town of the beloved St. Francis. We will tour the important sites of the area including the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis, the Church of St. Clare, which houses her incorrupted body, and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B,D)
Day 5 Assisi/Oropa Sanctuary Depart Assisi and travel to the beautiful region of Piedmont. Arrive at the magnificent Sanctuary of Oropa which is located in an incredible setting below the Alps. It is one of the nine Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The 12 chapels (plus another seven nearby) create a devotional path. Inside each chapel scenes of the Virgin Mary’s life are depicted. The path culminates on top of the hill with the Crowning of Mary. Dinner and overnight at the Oropa Sanctuary. (B,D)
Day 6 Oropa Sanctuary Enjoy a morning visit of this magnificent sanctuary. In the late afternoon we depart for Sordevolo, the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village people. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Sordevolo before we attend this remarkable performance of “The Passion of Christ”. Return to Oropa for overnight. (B,D)
Day 7 Oropa/Turin/Oropa This morning we will travel to Turin, the capital city of Piedmont, to view the extraordinary “Holy Shroud” which will be on display. We will return to Oropa for dinner at the local restaurant in Oropa and savor delicious treats of the regional cuisine. Overnight in Oropa. (B,D) Day8Oropa/Milan/USA Afterbreakfast,transfertotheairport for your flight home. (B) For
and reservations please contact
Passion Play, Sordevolo
Shroud of Turin
TOUR FEATURES
7 nights accommodations at indicated First Class hotel or similar with private bath or shower
Professional English speaking tour director throughout
Buffet breakfast daily
$25 lunch voucher for Eataly
Rice tasting
Cheese tasting
5 Dinners at local restaurants including wine (1/4 bottle pp), mineral water (1/2 bottle pp) and coffee:
Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees
Passion Play ticket
Touring and transfers by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels
City Tax included
Hotel taxes and service charges
Lake Maggiore
Day 1
Depart USA on overnight flight to Milan.
Day 2
Arrive Milan. Meet Tour escort and transfer to hotel in Biella. Check in. Enjoy some free time to begin exploring or relaxing. Welcome dinner at local restaurant (WD)
Day 3
Breakfast at hotel. This morning we depart to enjoy a city tour including a visit of the Cathedral where the Holy Shroud is kept and to the National Cinema Museum. The Museum is more than a museum and whoever enters it isn’t just a visitor but also an explorer, an author, an actor, a spectator… t
We continue with a visit to Eataly Torino. Walking into Eataly is like entering the Land of Oz You will receive a voucher which you can exchange for lunch at one of the many food stands. Have some free time to walk around before returning to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit of a local cheese factory. We will have the chance to see how they produce the cheese of the Piemonte region and also get a chance to taste it. We then continue to Desana to visit the Agricultural farm where many types of rice are produced. After the visit of the fields, you will have a chance to taste the different Rices
Return to Biella and afternoon walking tour of the town. Enjoy dinner at the hotel
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. An exciting day of discovery awaits you as we will drive to the Sacro Monte di Oropa (Sacred Mountain of Oropa). It is one of the nine Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The 12 chapels (plus another seven nearby) create a devotional path. Inside each chapel are scenes of the Virgin Mary life. The path culminates on top of the hill with the Crowning of Mary. We also have a chance to visit the old Basilica. Return to Biella. Early evening we depart for Sordevolo. Sordevolo is the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village people. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Sordevolo before we attend this remarkable performance of “The Passion of Christ” Return to Biella for overnight
Day 6
Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure for Stresa by Lake Maggiore. Stresa has skyrocketed from being a simple village of fisherman to a first class international resort. After check-in enjoy an afternoon boat ride to visit the Borromeo Islands in the center of Lake Maggiore. We will visit Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) to see the 17th century Borroemo Palazzo, and the largest island Isola Madre (Mother Island) to see its Botanical Garden. Return by boat to Stresa. This evening enjoy a lovely dinner at a local restaurant (B & D)
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Milan. Enjoy a guided tour including a visit of Last Supper (subject to ticket availability) On your guided tour you'll visit the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping gallery and the medieval Sforza Castle. Next, you'll tour the breathtaking Duomo, one of the world's largest, most striking Gothic cathedrals.
You'll also see the fabulous La Scala, one of the world's best known opera houses. Enjoy some free time before returning to Stresa
Day 8
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Como. Como is at the southern tip of the lake and is known for its silk industry. We have some time to stroll around and see what Como has to offer. Return to Stresa for overnight. This evening enjoy a lovely Farewell Dinner. (B & D)
Day 9
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the airport for return flight home
Passion Play, Sordevolo Day 7
SORDEVOLO & PIEDMONT
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Passion Play of Christ - Sordevolo
10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS
TOUR FEATURES
9 nights accommodations at indicated First Class hotel or similar with private bath or shower
Professional English speaking tour director throughout
Buffet breakfast daily
$25 lunch voucher for Eataly
Wine tasting and lunch at local winery from Torino
Rice tasting
Cheese tasting
Lunch at local restaurant in Lugano
5 Dinners at local restaurants including wine (1/4 bottle pp), mineral water (1/2 bottle pp) and coffee:
Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees\
Play ticket
Touring and transfers by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels
Stay Tax included
Hotel taxes and service charges
Day 1
Arrival in Milan. Meet Tour escort and transfer to your hotel in Biella.
Check in. Enjoy some free time before an afternoon tour of Biella. Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Day 2
Breakfast at your hotel. An exciting day of discovery awaits you as we will drive to the Sacro Monte di Oropa (Sacred Mountain of Oropa). It is one of the nine Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The 12 chapels (plus another seven nearby) create a devotional path. Inside each chapel scenes of the Virgin Mary life. The path culminates on top of the hill with the Crowning of Mary. We also have a chance to visit the old Basilica. Return to Biella. Early evening we depart for Sordevolo. Sordevolo is the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village residents. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Sordevolo before we attend this remarkable performance of “The Passion of Christ” Return to Biella for overnight
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit of a local cheese factory. We will have the chance to see how they produce the cheese of the Piemonte region and also get to taste it. After the tour the balance of the day is free to do as you wish.
Shop, walk around exploring on own. Have some delicious gelato!
Day 4
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for Torino. Stop en route in Desana to visit the Agricultural Farm where many types of rice are produced. After the visit of the fields you will have the chance to taste the different types of Rice. After the tasting we continue to Torino. Check in to hotel.
Enjoy an orientation tour of the city. Dinner at your hotel.
Day 5
Breakfast. We continue our Torino tour including a visit of the Cathedral where the Holy Shroud is kept and also entrance fee to the Nation Cinema Museum. The Museum is more than a museum and whoever enters it isn’t just a visitor but also an explorer, an author, an actor, a spectator… to whom the Museum offers
We continue with a visit to Eataly Torino. Walking into Eataly is like entering the Land of Oz the emotions of an experience we hope won’t be easily forgotten. You will receive a voucher which you can exchange for lunch at one of the many food stands. Have some free time to walk around before returning to the hotel. Balance free (B & LV)
Day 6
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy the morning in Torino for some shopping or visit one of the many museums. Late morning we depart for the Barolo wine area. We will stop to visit one of the many wineries for wine tasting and lunch.
Return to Torino for overnight (B, WT & L)
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure for Stresa on the waters of Lake Maggiore. Stresa has skyrocketed from being a simple village of fisherman to a first class international resort. After check-in enjoy an afternoon boat ride to visit the Borromean Islands in the middle of Lake Maggiore. We will visit Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) to see the 17th century Borroemo Palazzo we will also visit the largest island Isola Madre (Mother Island) to see its Botanical Garden. Return by boat to Stresa.
This evening enjoy a lovely dinner at a local restaurant (B & D)
Day 8
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Lugano, Switzerland. Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Enjoy lunch before we depart for Como. Como is at the southern tip of the lake and is known for its silk industry. We have some time to stroll around and see what Como has to offer. Return to Stresa for overnight (B & L)
Day 9
Breakfast at hotel. Full day free for last minute shopping, swimming or simply relaxing.
This evening dinner included at a local restaurant ( B & D)
Day 10
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the airport for return flight home (B)
Presents SORDEVOLO & SOUTH OF FRANCE
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Passion Play of Christ - Sordevolo
TOUR FEATURES
9 nights accommodations at indicated First Class hotel or similar with private bath or shower
Professional English speaking tour director throughout
Buffet breakfast daily
5 Dinners at local restaurants including wine (1/4 bottle pp), mineral water (1/2 bottle pp) and coffee:
Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees
Touring and transfers by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels
Passion Play ticket
City Tax included
Hotel taxes and service charges
Rome
Day 1
Depart USA on overnight flight to Milan
Day 2
June 18 – arrive Milan meet tour escort and transfer to Biella. Some free time to relax and unwind. This evening enjoy a lovely Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant (D)
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for guided tour of Torino, starting at the Museum of Holy Shroud, in which, according to tradition, the body of Christ was wrapped after he was lowered down from the cross. Time at leisure to shop - and explore on your own. Return to Biella (B)
Day 4
Breakfast at hotel. Departure for Oropa to visit the Sanctuary. The Oropa Sanctuary is found near Biella in the northern part of Piedmont. It is a very important Italian pilgrimage destination with a reputation for providing relief to the sick and also now a UNESCO listed heritage site. More than 800,000 pilgrims visit Oropa each year. You will see the 12 chapels that create a devotional path. Inside each chapel are scenes of the Virgin Mary’s life. The statue of the Black Madonna, brought to the Santuaria dOropa by the founder of the sanctuary in the 14th century, is kept in the church, in a chapel that predates the current (17th century) church by several centuries. Other highlights at the Oropa sanctuary include the Royal Gate and Royal Apartments, while to the rear is a second, 19th-20th century church. After some free time at the Sanctuary, our next stop will be a local "Grappa Distillery" for a tasting including their home made sweets. Return to Biella
Late afternoon we depart for Sordevolo, the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village people. Dinner will be at a local restaurant before we attend this remarkable performance of “The Passion of Christ”.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for Nice.
Check in at a 4* hotel in Nice.
Meet your English speaking guide at your hotel for a late afternoon tour of Nice (duration 4hours) ;
Capital and queen of the Riviera, discover the “Promenade des Anglais”, the old town with the flower market, the Castle Park overlooking the Bay of the Angels.
3 course dinner – drinks included in a local restaurant near your hotel. Ovenight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
9.00 am : Departure from your hotel with an English speaking guide
Full day guided excursions to Monaco to see the famous Casino, and the Prince's palace. Visit Eze, a medieval french village perched up high on the middle corniche with craft shops and excellent views of the Mediterranean coast, you will have a guided tour of the traditional perfumery.
6.00 pm : Drop off at your hotel in Nice Dinner on your own. Accommodation.
Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel.
9.00 am : Departure from your hotel with an English speaking guide
Go to the picturesque village of Saint Paul de Vence where the great impressionists used to gather with easel and canvas and sample the regional flower sweets at a perched medieval village that has stood guard since the 9th century. Next stop will be in Grasse, for a tour of the perfume factory.
6.00 pm : Drop off at your hotel in Nice Dinner on your own. Accommodation.
For information and reservations please contact
Gianni
PassionPlay,Sordevolo
Day 6
Day 8
Breakfast at the hotel.
9.00 am : Departure with your luggage for a tour transfer to Arles via Aix en Provence.
Walking visit of Aix en Provence en route (duration 3 hours). Walk with your guide on the Cours Mirabeau lined with 17th and 18th centuries private mansions, where large trees give shade on hot summer days. The old town is packed with shops, architectural and religious sites, bustling squares and refreshing fountains. Take a stroll through one of the numerous markets taking place everyday in the center of the city.
Arrival in Arles surroundings.
Check in at your 4* hotel in Arles Dinner in a restaurant in Arles center (you will have to take your coach to drive to Arles center). Back to the hotel for accommodation.
Day 9
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure with your own coach to Avignon
9.00 am :Meet an English speaking guide in Avignon center for a walking and guided tour of Avignon, the majestic city of the Popes. Visit Pont d'Avignon, also called Saint- Benezet bridge, famous for the children's song “Sur le Pont d'Avignon”, and visit the Popes' Palace which is the biggest gothic style palace in Europe (entrance tickets included).
Lunch on your own.
Continue to Chateauneuf du Pape.
Sightseeing in the vineyards, explanations about "terroir", grape varieties, vinification and aging cellars. Discover 2 different appellations and enjoy the visit and the wine tastings of the 2 wine estates. End of the service of the guide at 6.00 pm in Avignon
Back to the hotel in Arles with your own coach.
Dinner on your own.
Day 10
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning : Tour
Meet your English speaking guide for an half day tour to Arles and St Rémy de Provence.
Visit the ancient city of Arles (UNESCO World Heritage). On the footpaths of Van Gogh, you will discover the roman remains with the amphitheater called “Arenas” and the ancient theater, Saint- Trophime church (carved doorway from 12th century), the Forum Square and Van Gogh's Café.
The tour continues toward the Alpilles mountain range. Stop at the Antiques in Saint Rémy de Provence (Triumphal Arch and mausoleum) located in an olive-tree field. Landscape painted several times by Van Gogh.
Visit St Paul de Mausole mental hospital were Van Gogh stayed for a year. Discover the reproduction of his bedroom.
Farewell diner in a nice restaurant located in Arles center (you will have to take your coach to drive to Arles center).
Back to the hotel for accommodation. Accommodation.
Day 11
Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for your return flight
